Posted 11 years ago
mikelv85
(1230 items)
Wouldn't say she's exactly a classic in the literal sense, but I do love Cadillacs. I've had 3 at one time (what was I thinking...lol) in various states of functionality a 85' Seville, 91' Deville and this 85' Eldorado I bought in 2000. It's a nice survivior with 130 K miles. I took it out of storage last year after 7 years. I put in fresh gas, new plugs and oil. It fired right up like always (yes the infamous 4.1 aluminum engine). It still runs but it needs all it's maintenance A/C (freon) and new tires ( perfect 13 year old Continentals). I lost a brake line to the back (still have fronts) and the fuel line (which I fixed) so I at least can start it ocassionally. Haven't fired it up since September been covered all winter. It really needs a good run. Maybe this Summer she'll be back on the road !
-Mike-
Unwrapped my baby from her long winter's nap yesterday. Checked all the fluids,charged the battery a bit, added air to the tires. Turned her over a few times with the distributor disconnected to get oil pressure. Turned the key and she fired right up ! Even though I'm missing back brakes I still have front ones so I took her for a short drive around the block. Got on a quite section of road and punched it a bit. She took off belching a cloud of black smoke getting rid of all the gunk from sitting all those years. It quickly went away and smoothly accelerated. I forgot how powerful even a small V 8 is compared to today's cars. When I got home I noticed it was dripping brake fluid from my repair to the back. Wasn't too surprised really. Compression fittings don't always work well with new to old linea and I couldn't get the bleed valves open either. Guess she'll have to go to the local repair shop for new lines and everthing else ( $$$ !). Old cars..gotta love them ! -Mike-
Yep, had 3 Caddy's at one point,wasn't thinking clearly back then. Now just this one. It still needs the brakes fixed but I'll limp it around the block just to keep the engine lubricated. Wouldn't dare drive it over 45 mph on the 13 year old tires that only have 1000 miles on them but it just keeps raining here like nldionne says.
sweet Mike !!!! when am I getting a ride?
Thanks icollect....... I really do love the slant back Seville's from the 80's. Tu-tone Silver and Cranberry please with matching burgundy leather interior :) I like the big Eldo's from the mid 70's as well...oh hell I like them all !
Classic!! Love it!!
Those old Street boats were made to Sail!! ....and use a bit of Gas
Thanks Rose.... They sure were, but mine has been in dry dock far too long ! Every Summer there's a plan to get it back on the road and something comes up. Before you know it Winter's here again and it has to hibernate for 6 months....lol.
Well............make 2014 the year.
Sending a challenge to you on CW. Next Pic of this -- we CW members want to see you behind the seat, driving down the road.
There................NOW you have to do it!!!
LOL, challenge is out!!
....AND add to the above post of mine.....YOU could also do what these guys did and REALLY make it a Land yacht (aka Hot Tub Caddie)
https://ca.autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/world-s-fastest-hot-tub-turns-an-old-caddy-into-a-carpool-deville-195339725.html
Mike....so glad you brought this back up for review....missed it earlier and totally "Love" these big old boats.....don't take that comment wrong...just remember driving these back in the day and always thought of "sailing" down the freeway
lol......the last time this car was fully functional and on the road was 2004. Went to a local church car show. Believe me I'd like nothing better...we shall see :)
lol...... Yes I did see that hot tub car. Don't think there would be much water left after a few hard turns !
I said: ""Sending a challenge to you on CW. Next Pic of this -- we CW members want to see you behind the seat, driving down the road.""
Maybe that means with a tow truck pulling you along. As in a sense then ---> YOU have met the Challenge. One way to beat me!! No pressures
Oh you're on Rosy !!.....lol
lol.....just attach a fan on the hood so it looks like your hair is blowing in the wind.....LOL
In all reality, I know how it is hard to find time to do thing....for real!!
Time I have plenty of. It's the expense. The repairs were slated to commence once I sold my 18th century Chinese hunting scene bowl in New York. Which did not sell first time around. :(...... They're going to give it another shot here shortly. I've lowered the reserve to 1K . So fingers crossed. One depends on the other. Just have to get the right two people bidding for it to take off.
That's not a car! That's a suburb!
I'm behind AntiqueRose with the challenge! (says the girl who has had at least 4 bikes in the shed for decades waiting for restoration!)
I can't get over the idea of packing everything up for winter! We don't even put our shorts away.....
Oh this isn't a big car as Cadillacs go. It's considered mid-size. Now the 50's 60's and 70's ones you can add two feet ! I keep the battery charged and I disconnect the distributor and turn it over to oil the engine, but it hasn't been started or driven since last July. Winter here was really hard on the plastic body fillers and a couple cracked in the sub zero polar vortexes we had. :( Another expensive fix to add to the restoration list !
I this a front wheel drive?
Yep it sure is Caper 4.1 V8 also four wheel disc brakes. It's been sitting a couple years now though. I really need to change all the fluids and limp it around the block with what brakes it has left. It has a rusted line to the rear calipers. That's why it's been sitting all these years. Drives great except the tires are 16 years old now with almost no miles on them. I figure I could get it back on the road for 1500. Need to sell some of the stuff I've been posting here...lol :)
A friend has one on the back forty of his property I believe its a 5.7 liter. I got the hub cap from it as my garbage can lid.
lol...now that's a classy garbage can lid ! :)
The garbage can is an old metal grease keg. The hub cat fits perfectly. And it is classy garbage lol.
I have a 1998 Cadillac DeVille that was my mom's; sitting under my carport collecting dust. It was running fine until only a few months ago, seems all the electrical stuff started going haywire; the seats, the door locks, the anti-theft (horn) started blowing, then finally whatever it was just drained the battery. Just so happens, I just had one of those "smart meters" installed on the house (for Entergy); and it's only about 11 feet in front of the hood of the car -- could that have something to do with it?
Hey Mike my buddy has one of these just sitting there in the woods. Is there any pieces you might need for this he told me I could take what ever I wanted If you need my friend just let me know.
Thanks for the offer Roy...Well I've had the car for 17 years and most of what it's needed I've replaced. Now it's mostly cosmetic stuff. Age and the past really cold winters have cracked the body fillers in the rear. The headliner needs replaced now too. The only thing that keeps it sitting is the brake lines have rusted to the rear. A complete brake system redo is in order which of course is big bucks. Gotta change the fluids and fire her up this Summer. It's been three years since the last time I limped it around the block with just front brakes. Always fires right up no matter how long it sits..fingers crossed it still does...lol :)
Right on Mike good to know you still got it.